Commission adopts Minam Wildlife Area management plan

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted a management plan for the Minam Wildlife Area, approved a land acquisition for Denman Wildlife Area and heard an update on Oregon's Native Seed Strategy.

The plan was the result of extensive engagement with the tribes, community partners, and the public. Commissioners noted that the process of acquiring land to create the wildlife area was successful because counties and partners were brought in at the beginning, and staff continues working with these partners.

The Commission also approved the purchase of 5.67 acres of property within the boundary of the current Denman Wildlife Area in Jackson County. The acquisition will provide habitat connectivity and access to visitors parking at the Agate Road lot.

During the Director's Report, Troy Abercrombie with the Oregon Department of Agriculture presented the Oregon Native Seed Strategy (Strategy) and its nexus with the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), ODFW's mission, and the Governor's Executive Order 25-26 related to the resiliency of Oregon's lands and waters. The strategy guides and supports ecological restoration and conservation through acquiring, preserving and producing native seed in Oregon.

Abercrombie shared that three of the main threats to Oregon's fish, wildlife and habitat identified in the SWAP – intense and large fires, invasive species, climate change – can be partly addressed by the strategy. For example, locally sourced sagebrush seeds have been collected and will be planted this fall near Fields, Oregon to improve habitat for pygmy rabbit, a SWAP species.

A number of commissioners noted how pivotal the seed strategy will be going forward in addressing landscape scale conservation. Others noted a sense of urgency for partnerships across state agencies, community organizations, public land managers, private landowners and tribes is needed.

"We're going to need everyone on board with the Oregon Native Seed Strategy. I find hope in the fact that there is a coordinated train going down the track now," said Commissioner Dallas Hall Defrees.

Commissioners were updated on the 2005 Miller Lake Lamprey Conservation Plan and the 2019 statewide Conservation Plan for Lampreys. Following barrier removal and reintroductions implemented by the Miller Lake lamprey Technical Management Team, the species is now re-established back in the lake for the first time in about 60 years and are now common to prevalent in lower Miller Creek and the upper basin.

Education and outreach by ODFW, tribes, and partners has improved Oregonians' knowledge and awareness of Oregon's native lamprey species. ODFW is continuing to implement management actions and research, monitoring, and evaluation to inform adaptive management of its native lampreys.

In other business, the Commission:

• Approved the Access and Habitat Board's recommendations for project funding to improve wildlife habitat and/or enhance public hunting access on private land in the state.
• Appointed Harry Bither and Alex Hardison to the Fish Screening Task Force. Bither is the Irrigation Director of the Threemile Canyon Farm and represents agricultural interests. Hardison is a Conservation Nonprofit Communications Manager and represents fishing/fish conservancy.
• Allowed the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to stock sterile grass carp in a sewage lagoon at Beverly Beach State Park to control aquatic vegetation.